Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1887-12-15

have, in the most solemn manner promised it,
correction: and neither as citizens or partisans
are our cOuutrymen in e mood to conCOne the
deliberate violations OF these pledges.
Our progress toward wise conclusion will
not be improved by dwelling upon the theories
OF protection and free trade. This sav0rs too
much OF bandying epithets. It is q condition
which confron's us-not a theory. Relief T. ON
| this conpition may involve a slight reduction OF
the advantages which we award our home pro-
auctions, but tie entire withdrawal OF such ad-
valtages should not be contemplated. The
question OF free trade is absolutely irrelevant;
and the persistent claim made in certain quar-
tiers, that all efforts to relieve the people from
unjust and unnecessary taxation are schemes OF
socalled free traders, is mischievous and far
removed from any consideration for the public
good.
The simple and plain duty which we owe the
people 10 to reduce taxation to the necessary eX
penses Of AL economical operation Of the Gov
eminent and to restore to the business OF the
country the money which we hold in the treas
ury through the peryersion Of governmental
powers. These things can and should be done
with safety to all our industries without danger
TO the opportunity for remunerative labor
which our workingmen need and with benefit TO
them and all our people by cheapening their
means of subsistence and increasing the meas
ure of their comforts.
shall from time to time give to the Congress in
formation OF the state OF the Union. 1t has
been the custom OF the executive in compliance
with this provision to annually exhibit to the
Congress, at the opening OF its session, the
general condition of the country, and to de-
tail, with some particularly, the operations
OF the different executive departments. 1t
would be especially agreeable 10 follow
this course at the present time ard
m al
plishments Of these departments during the
last fiscal year, but am much impressed
with the paramount importance of the subject
to which this communication has thus far
been devoted that shall foregO the addition Of
any other topic, and only urge upon your i'm
mediate consideration the Estate OF the Union
as shown il the present condition of our treas
ury and our general fiscal situation, upon which
every element OF our safety and prosperity de-
ponds.
The reports OF the heads OF departments
which will be submitted, contain full and eX-
plicit information touching the transaction Of
business intrusted to them and such recon-.
mendations relating to legislation in the public
interest as they deem advisable. I ask for
these reports and recommendations the delb-
crate examination and action Of the legislative
branch Of the Government.
There are other subjects not embraced in the
departmental report demanding legislative
consideration, and which 1 should be glad to
submit. Some Of them, however, have been
earnestly presented in previous messages and
as to them beg leave to repeat prior recon-
mendations.
AS the law makes no provision for any report
from the Department Of State, brief history Of
the transactions OF that important department,
together with other matters which it may here
after be deemed essential to commend to the
attention OF the Congress, may furnish the occa-
sion for u future communication.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON Dec